HAWKINS COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — A Hawkins County grand jury has returned an indictment against the former treasurer of the Lake View Fire Department (LVFD) for allegedly transferring over $26,000 from the department’s funds into her own personal bank account.

Jason Mumpower, Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, announced Peggy Long’s indictment on a charge of theft of property valued at $10,000 or more but less than $60,000.

This indictment followed an investigation triggered by the LVFD’s report of “suspicious financial activity,” according to a release from the comptroller’s office.

The inquiry revealed that Long had issued seven unauthorized checks to herself during January to March of 2025, with the checks amounting to a minimum of $26,000.

Long allegedly deposited the check into her own personal bank account and used “vague or misleading memo lines.”

The release states that Long told investigators the checks were for her own personal use, not LVFD expenses.

Long was relieved of her treasurer duties on June 16. As noted by the comptroller’s office, she subsequently reimbursed the LVFD with a $26,000 check from her personal finances on July 28.

The Hawkins County Grand Jury indicted Long on Monday.

“Volunteer fire departments are crucial to community safety, requiring stringent financial oversight,” Mumpower mentioned in the release. “Such organizations, often handling public and donated money, must enforce measures like dual check signatures and proper segregation of financial responsibilities to protect these funds.”

The complete investigation can be read online.